Improvement in



UNITED STATES PATENT Free.

JAMES M. OHAPLIN, 0F MIDDLEPORT, NEWV YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPLE-CRIBS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 151,534, dated June 2, 1874; application filed March 21, 1874.

is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section of my improved crib for storing apples, on the line 0 c, Fig. 3; Fig. 2, a front View of the movable side of the crib, used when throwing it into a larger receptacle running the full length of the crib; and Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section of the crib on the line as m, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved apple house or crib for use in the orchard, for the purpose of keeping or storing apples therein as they are picked from the trees until they are to be sorted and barreled for market.

Hitherto it has been the custom with orehardists to pick their apples and put them in large piles on the ground, or directly into barrels. In either case waste and loss are caused for various reasonsin one case by rotting from the moisture of the ground and too great ripeness at the top, also by their getting dirty and mixed with leaves, so as to delay barrelin g. In putting them into barrels before sending them to market, the apples will sweat, mold, and mildew, and, therefore, not keep as well, so that considerable loss is caused in both cases.-

My improved apple-crib is intended to overcome these defects in the present modes of handling apples, so that not only a greater percentage of marketable apples may be obtained, but also the assorting facilitated and more rapidly attended to. My invention consists of a crib constructed of a raised bottom with detachable ends, and intermediate crosssections, and adjustable sides covered by a roof, the whole being connected in suitable manner, so as to be readily put up and stored away after use.

In the drawing, A represents the apple house or crib, of any suitable size and material,

and supported on a raised bottom, B, made of longitudinal strips a, placed on lateral pieces I) of suitable height. The strips to of the bottom, as well as of the other sections or partitions of the crib, are at such distance from each other that the apples will not drop out between them, and that a sufficient supply of fresh air may circulate through the apples. The end sections 0 are made with or without interstices, and attached to the base-pieces b by applying its stiffening-pieces d by means of bolts (1, or any other suitable fastening, which allows a ready and quick detachment for storing the cribsections after use. For storing different varieties of apples, one or more in termediate lateral partitions, 0, are applied to recesses of the bottom B. The end and cross partitions G and 0 support, by suitable guide-strips e, the central longitudinal sections D, which, in connection with the open sides E, form as many different apartments as required. If only two varieties are to be kept apart, the central lateral partition may be taken out, and, in place of the short sides, which connect the ends with the intermediate section, longer side and central partitions may be used after the cross-section is taken out. If only one variety is to be stored, the central partition is also left out. The sides E are attached to the ends (J and cross-partition O in similar manner by bolts, or any other fastening device, being retained by the ends of their supporting-pieces on suitable cross-strips of the lateral base-pieces b. The position of the sides may be changed by letting them down, or unfolding them by degrees, the end sec tions being provided with holes g for the insertion of the fastening-bolts in the different positions of the sides. The adjustment of the sides facilitates greatly the asserting of the apples for barreling, so that, at last, the culls or cider-apples remain. The sides are then folded up again till the apples are to be taken to the cider-mill. attached by means of lugs or projections h, resting on sup 'iorting-pins h, and being attached by bolts. The roof keeps the apples well shaded, so that they will not'sweat or change their color.

The roof or top parts F are After the whole crop has been barreled and disposed of, the sides and end sections are detached and lifted out of the bottom, the Whole crib being then carried away to be stored in a barn or shed.

If the orchard is provided with a sufficient number of cribs at difi'erent places, the Whole crop may be gathered according as the apples ripen, and then kept in perfect condition and excellent taste till the time of selling.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The apple house or crib for storing apples in the orchard, constructed of raised open bottom B, end and cross sections 0, open lon gitudinal partitions D, open adjustable sides E, and top or roof sections F, all being connected and applied substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. The end and intermediate cross-sections O 0', having holes 9, in combination with the movable sides E andfastening-bolts d, or any other device, for the purpose of lowering or raising the sides, as required, for assorting the apples, in the manner set forth.

JAMES M. OHAPLIN.

WVitnesses:

OLIVER UHAPLIN, NAT. ANGEOINE. 

